He stole his best friend's photos and fell for a tycoon's heir through online dating.

Xia Ruo didn't know how she walked out of that door.

"Hey? Ruoruo, why did you take so long to go in? Didn't you just deliver a coffee?" Lin Wanzhi peeked out from behind the computer, looking curious.

Xia Ruo paused for a moment, then lied without changing her expression: "The boss arranged some work for me."

"Okay..." Lin Wanzhi didn't think much of it and went back to browsing her shopping websites.

Xia Ruo sat down, resting her hands on her forehead, her heart still beating very fast.

"Huh? Ruoruo—"

Lin Wanzhi stared at her phone, her eyebrows furrowed.

"My advisor messaged me, asking if we wanted to attend the school's outstanding student representative forum tomorrow morning."

What the heck? We've become outstanding students?!

She looked up, her face full of disbelief. "Let's not go and join the fun, it'll be too awkward."

Xia Ruo suddenly opened her eyes: "Go!!!"

"Huh?" Lin Wanzhi was startled by her reaction and almost dropped her phone.

"We have to go, Wanwan!" Xia Ruo sat up straight, her face serious.

"Our teachers have given us a chance, so how can we let them down?"

We can't look down on ourselves, can we?

Listening to truly outstanding classmates speak can be very helpful to us.

Lin Wanzhi was stunned by what she said, blinked a couple of times, and then showed a touched expression:

"Ruoruo, you really are..."

That's incredibly insightful! What you said makes perfect sense! I'll report back to the teacher right away!

"Okay, go back soon." Xia Ruo smiled gently, but the curve of her lips slowly changed.

I'd rather not spend even half a day at the office. As for what I just said, that's just something to appease a child.

She picked up her phone. "Mr. Huo, Wanwan and I need to take half a day off tomorrow. The school has invited us to attend a symposium."

The reply popped up less than three seconds after the message was sent.

Zero: [What did you call me?]

Xia Ruo stared at those two words, took a deep breath, bit her lip, and typed: "Brother!"

They seemed quite satisfied, and only replied a few seconds later.

Zero: [Will you miss me at school?]

Xia Ruo's lips twitched, and she silently repeated three times in her mind, "For the sake of asking for leave, for the sake of asking for leave, for the sake of asking for leave."

Then, with all his might, he typed out a single word—"Yes!"

After sending the message, she placed her phone face down on the table, picked up her water glass, and took a big gulp, feeling as if she had already sold half of her soul.

Zero: [My baby is so good. After finishing work at school tomorrow, I'll pack my things in the dorm and wait for the driver to arrive this afternoon.]

Xia Ruo didn't reply. She put her phone in her bag, took a deep breath, and told herself: Just bear with it. Being away from the company for half a day is a victory.

-

The symposium was held in the school's auditorium, with only a few rows of students scattered around the stage.

Xia Ruo and Lin Wanzhi sat on the side, listening listlessly to the alumni on stage sharing their inspirational stories about "how to go from a monthly salary of three thousand to an annual salary of one million".

Lin Wanzhi leaned on her shoulder and whispered, "Ruoruo, I want to sleep..."

Xia Ruo patted her head: "Go to sleep, I'll wake you when it's over."

After finally getting through the event, the two of them came out through a side gate and walked along the tree-lined path on campus towards their dormitory.

"By the way, Ruoruo, what time did Mr. Huo order the driver to pick us up? We need to hurry up and get ready."

Xia Ruo snorted inwardly: No rush, let that bastard wait.

Suddenly, a middle-aged man emerged from the sidewalk, dressed in a suit and tie, his hair slicked back, holding a business card in his hand, and smiling as he blocked their path.

"Excuse me, students, please wait!"

Xia Ruo instinctively stepped Lin Wanzhi behind her, watching him warily.

"Don't be nervous, don't be nervous, I'm a talent scout." The man handed over his business card, which had the logo of Zhonghe Media Company printed on it, and the name was "Zhao Fu".

He looked the two of them up and down, his gaze sliding from Lin Wanzhi's face to Xia Ruo's face, and then from Xia Ruo's chest to Lin Wanzhi's legs.

"Tsk tsk tsk...these two students are really lucky," Zhao Fu rubbed his hands together.

"Our company is currently preparing for a big production, but the female lead hasn't been cast yet. I think both of you have a chance, especially this one—"

His gaze was fixed on Xia Ruo, his eyes narrowing into slits as he smiled.

"Beautiful roses are the most sought-after commodity in the market right now."

"If you'd like, I can arrange for you to meet the director tonight, have dinner, and discuss the script."

Before Lin Wanzhi could react, Xia Ruo's face turned cold: "Sorry, we're not interested."

She grabbed Lin Wanzhi's hand and tried to leave.

Zhao Fu didn't give up, following behind, his tone changing from warm to sarcastic:

"Young lady, don't be ungrateful."

What can dance students like you do after graduation? Aren't you just people's pretty faces?

Giving you opportunities is a sign of my respect for you. No matter how good-looking you are, if you don't know how to utilize resources, it's all for nothing.

His gaze fell on Xia Ruo's face again, and he clicked his tongue twice:

"With your looks, if you were put together a makeover in our company, you'd definitely become famous."

But you need to change your temper, otherwise who would dare to hire you? Be obedient, and you'll have plenty of benefits in the future.

Lin Wanzhi's face flushed red.

She released Xia Ruo's hand, turned around, and stared directly at Zhao Fu. Her voice trembled:

"Watch your mouth! We don't need someone like you! What do you mean by 'obediently listen'? Who do you think you are? An emperor emeritus?"

Zhao Fu was stunned for a moment, probably not expecting this seemingly soft and gentle girl to suddenly get angry.

Just as he was about to speak, Lin Wanzhi took another step forward, her voice even louder, causing several passing classmates to stop and look:

"Also, the way you looked at people just now made me very uncomfortable. Please leave immediately, or I'll call security!"

Her eyes were red, but her back was straight, like a sapling bent by the wind and then bounced back up.

"You—" Zhao Fu's expression changed, and just as he was about to say something, a cold, low voice suddenly came from behind him.

"She told you to leave, didn't you hear her?"

Zhao Fu turned his head and saw a tall, thin boy standing behind him. He was backlit, so his expression was not clear, but he exuded a cold aura that kept strangers at bay.

It's Liu Yinan.

He walked over and stood between Lin Wanzhi and Zhao Fu, shielding the two girls behind him.

He was more than half a head taller than Zhao Fu, and looked down at the middle-aged man with a cold gaze.

"Who are you? Mind your own business!" Zhao Fu retorted defiantly.

Liu Yinan did not answer.

He picked up his phone: "Hello, is this the security office? Someone is harassing female students on the tree-lined path east of the teaching building."

Zhao Fu's face turned pale instantly. He glared at Liu Yinan, muttered "meddlesome," and turned to leave quickly.

Liu Yinan hung up the phone and turned around.

Lin Wanzhi was still standing there, her eyes red-rimmed, but her chin was stubbornly raised, and her whole demeanor was completely different from what she had seen before.

She looked at Liu Yinan, her lips curving into a slight smile, but her voice trembled slightly: "Thank you... thank you, Liu."